FRIDAY FIVE
When a croissant made love to a donut, San Francisco got a cronut. Indeed, this is one of the most famous food babies to come out of the city over the last few years.
But before the cronut (and Portland) stole the spotlight, San Francisco was known for its pretty vibrant donut scene, which still exists. Fun fact: in 2017, three of the country’s top-rated donut spots were in San Francisco. Donuts are an all-American food but can be traced back to Dutch settlers in the early 18th century. By the mid-19th century, donuts began to look like what they are today: made of mouth-watering fried dough, a lot of sugar and brightly colored frosting and sprinkles.
Here is where you can find such a treat in SF:
1. Dynamo Donut + Coffee
Dynamo is a small boutique donut shop that has been calling the Mission home since 2008. Founder Sara Spearin focuses on putting a creative spin on your traditional donut by exploring with untraditional flavors. For example, the famous Vanilla Bean Donut, which is one of Dynamo’s most popular treats, started when Spearin was on maternity leave in 2007. She began exploring frying donuts on a cast-iron pan to satisfy a craving for donuts with nuanced flavors. Indeed, this is how Dynamo came to life. The likelihood is high that one will find one’s donut of their dreams at Dynamo, and it’s even better when enjoyed with a local cup of coffee too.
2760 24th Street (Mission) | dynamodonut.com
2. Trish’s Mini Donuts
Located in the tourist trap that is Pier 39 is a hidden donut haven—Trish’s Mini Donuts. These treats can often be described as both irresistible and delicious. Served in a bucket, these are exactly what you need to carry through a day at Fisherman’s Wharf — or any rough day, regardless of the circumstances. Trish Conklin, the founder, is a San Francisco–based food entrepreneur who specializes in mini donuts and chocolate. Conklin’s donuts are simple, sweet and sure to satisfy any donut lover’s cravings.
Pier 39 (Embarcadero) | trishsdishesfoods.com
3. Bob’s Donuts and Pastries
Bob’s Donuts and Pastries is a family-owned donut shop that has been a staple of Lower Nob Hill since the 1960s. In a 2012 profile of Bob’s by The Bold Italic, a customer said, “These are easily the best donuts in the United States.” He had been visiting Bob’s for the last 20 years. Each pastry is made with love and care, and it really comes through in the flavor. For example, the apple fritter is often talked about among regulars; it has cinnamon-infused dough with a crispy outer applelicious shell. If you ever want to earn brownie points (or should we say donut points?) with your coworkers, just bring a pink box from Bob’s, and it will make the day a lot better.
1621 Polk Street (Lower Nob Hill) | bobsdonutssf.com
4. Johnny Doughnuts
Founded as a food truck, Johnny Doughnuts now has a permanent residence in Hayes Valley and San Rafael. Owner Craig Blum, who has had a diverse career in the food industry, began wondering in 2012, “Why do doughnuts typically taste so bad and make us feel so bad when we eat them?” Thus the idea of Johnny Doughnuts was born. Doughnuts from here are handmade with locally sourced organic cool-milled wheat flour. Johnny Doughnuts also uses a recipe from the 1920s that requires using fresh potato to give the dough “more of a bite.” Indeed, this combination makes for a delicious doughnut, but also one you won’t feel bad about consuming after.
392 Fulton Street (Hayes Valley) | johnnydoughnuts.com
5. Twisted Donuts & Coffee
Have you ever dreamt of devouring a Baconpeño donut — meaning, yes, one with bacon and jalapeños on it? Twisted Donuts & Coffee can make that dream come true. Owned by husband-and-wife team Joyce and Paul Lim, Twisted Donuts has become a staple of the Outer Sunset since opening its doors in August 2014. On weekdays, customers can find classic donuts available, but on weekends, things get a little wild — or in the owners’ words, “twisted.” The owners bring out their more creative donut flavors, such as Nutty Monkey, Berry Crunchy, Baconpeño, S’Mores Galore, PB & J and Lemon Berry.
1243 Noriega Street (Outer Sunset) | twisteddonutsf.com
